Shimmerpaw trotted alongside Rippleheart as they headed back to camp. She had just been given an assessment on her hunting skills, and Rippleheart had been quite impressed. She had managed to catch a rabbit, two fish, a sparrow, and three mice. They were lucky that they were able to carry it all back to camp in one trip.

Meanwhile, Shimmerpaw knew that Brightpaw, Bronzepaw, and Bramblepaw were having their final assessments. Shimmerpaw hoped they passed. They deserved to be warriors. Shimmerpaw felt a little sad that she would be the only apprentice after that, but she was happy for her friends.

When they finally got back to camp, Shimmerpaw and Rippleheart saw their Clanmates gathered in the center of the clearing. Shimmerpaw looked up at Rippleheart, who had his eyes narrowed. They quickly set their prey on the fresh-kill pile before joining the crowd. Rippleheart pushed his way through to where Shinestar stood at the center. Shimmerpaw ran over to where she saw Bramblepaw, Bronzepaw, Brightpaw, and Ravenpaw all gathered. "What's going on?" she asked.

"Bluestripe returned to camp with some rogue with her," Brightpaw answered.

"A rogue?" Shimmerpaw echoed. "Why would she bring a rogue back to camp?"

"Well, this rogue is young by the look of her. I would guess she's only six moons old," Ravenpaw replied.

The group fell silent as Shinestar leaped up into the Talltree. The Clan directed their gazes up towards her. "Cats of LightClan, we have an unexpected guest. Bluestripe returned to camp along with a young she-cat who was all alone at our border." Shimmerpaw glanced to the front of the crowd where Bluestripe was sitting, finally managing to catch a glimpse of the newcomer. She was a ginger she-cat with green eyes.

"She's so young! Who would leave her out there on her own?" Seedwhisker asked.

"We don't know, but we have discovered that she is force sensitive. Because of that and with her being on her own, we have decided that she will live with us and train as a warrior and jedi," Shinestar answered. Several cats murmured their agreement before Shinestar continued, "Until she has earned her warrior name, this cat will be known as Fernpaw. Bluestripe, you will be her mentor. You only just found her but I can sense how much she trusts you. I can think of no better mentor for her." Bluestripe dipped her head before touching noses with the newly named Fernpaw.

"Fernpaw! Fernpaw!" the Clan cheered.

Shinestar remained in the tree, waiting for silence. "There is also one other duty I wish to perform. Three apprentices have passed their assessments, and I see no reason why they should remain apprentices any longer. Bramblepaw, Brightpaw, and Bronzepaw, please step forward." The three apprentices quickly made their way to the front of the crowd, and Shinestar leaped down in front of them. "I, Shinestar, leader of LightClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these three apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn."

Shinestar looked at Brightpaw first. "Brightpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Brightpaw answered.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Brightpaw, from this moment, you shall be known as Brighteyes. StarClan honors your intelligence and quick thinking, and we welcome you as a full warrior of LightClan," Shinestar rested her muzzle on Brighteyes' head and the new warrior licked her leader's shoulder before stepping back. Shinestar then turned to Bronzepaw. "Bronzepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Bronzepaw replied, her excitement showing through her voice.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Bronzepaw, from this moment, you shall be known as Bronzefrost. StarClan honors your courage and quick thinking, and we welcome you as a full warrior of LightClan," Shinestar rested her muzzle on Bronzefrost's head, and Bronzefrost licked her shoulder like Brighteyes had before her before joining her sister. Shinestar then turned to Bramblepaw. "Bramblepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Bramblepaw's voice rang confidently around the clearing, and a small smile came to Shinestar's face. Shimmerpaw thought she could even see a hint of pride shining in her leader's eyes.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Bramblepaw, from this moment, you shall be known as Brambleheart. StarClan honors your courage and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of LightClan," Shinestar rested her muzzle on Brambleheart's head. Brambleheart seemed to hesitate a moment before licking Shinestar's shoulder. Shimmerpaw blinked in sympathy. It must be hard for him to act so normal with the mother who gave him up.

"Brighteyes! Bronzefrost! Brambleheart!" the Clan cheered. Once the cheering had died down the Clan dispersed, some going over to congratulate the new warriors. Shimmerpaw hung back for a while, waiting until the crowd had died down before approaching them.

"Congratulations," she meowed.

"Thanks Shimmerpaw. It'll be your turn soon enough," Bronzefrost replied, nudging Shimmerpaw with her paw.

Shimmerpaw smiled and nodded. "I'm sure it will, but I've got a ways to go. You three deserve this though. You've worked hard for it."

"You can say that again," Brighteyes agreed with a roll of her eyes. "Silverclaw worked me every day until my whole body ached." She then smiled. "But I don't think I could've had a better mentor."

"Same here. Oakclaw was a great teacher. He could seem rough at times, but you just got to look past that," Bronzefrost added.

Shimmerpaw nodded before looking at Brambleheart. The tabby was looking up at the sky as the first stars started to come out. She nudged his shoulder. "I'm sure Dustflame is very proud of you. I know Eagleclaw is."

Brambleheart looked at her and smiled. "Yeah, you're right. You always are. And I miss Dustflame, but I can think of no better cat to finish my training than Eagleclaw. He may be young, but he knew just what to do no matter what."

Rippleheart then came over to the group. "Congratulations you three. Now remember, your silent vigil is tonight. No talking until I relieve you in the morning." The three new warriors dipped their heads to the deputy. Rippleheart then headed to the warriors' den to get some rest.

"Congratulations again guys. And good night," Shimmerpaw headed to the apprentices' den. She found Fernpaw standing at the entrance, staring inside with narrowed eyes almost as if she thought something was going to jump out at any moment and attack her. Shimmerpaw calmly approached her. "There's nobody in there. The den is actually going to be pretty empty right now."

Fernpaw jumped a little, shooting Shimmerpaw a glare before looking back inside. Shimmerpaw hesitated before continuing, "I'm Shimmerpaw by the way. Nice to meet you, Fernpaw." When she didn't get an answer, Shimmerpaw just headed into the den, moving towards her nest. She glanced back outside when she noticed Fernpaw hadn't moved. "Aren't you going to come inside?" When she was met with silence, she sighed. "Look, I know you don't trust me, but I promise none of us are here to hurt you. Bluestripe brought you here so you'd be safe. I know you feel alone right now, but I would like to be your friend if you'd let me."

Fernpaw blinked with surprise before narrowing her eyes and looking away. "Why would you want to be my friend?" she asked.

"Because we're Clanmates now. You may not have been born here, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that you're here now, and I don't want you to feel alone," Shimmerpaw answered. Fernpaw remained where she was. "Just think about it, alright? Good night, Fernpaw." Shimmerpaw laid down in her nest, closing her eyes.

A few moments later, Shimmerpaw heard paw steps and the sound of a cat laying down in the nest closest to hers. She opened one eye and glanced over, seeing Fernpaw laying there with her eyes closed and tail draped over her nose. Smiling, Shimmerpaw closed her eye once again and allowed sleep to consume her.

So we finally get to meet Fernpaw. For those of you who have played SWTOR or seen some of the Jedi Knight story, Fernpaw represents Kira Carson. She will be listed later when I do an updated Allegiances.

Also, I hope you like Brambleheart's, Bronzefrost's, and Brighteyes' warrior names. Two of the names I've used before but this is the first time I've used Brambleheart's. I thought about naming his Bramblespirit, but that's a different character in a different story.

Anyway, hope you enjoyed! Please R&R :)